Breaking Down the Florida Class 4A Football Playoff Bracket 2026: First-Round Matchups Revealed

Bracket and opening round

The FHSAA released the Class 4A bracket Friday, Nov. 6. All 32 teams begin play in the regional quarterfinals on Nov. 13, with no teams receiving a first-round bye.

Unbeaten Columbia, Bishop Moore, Port Charlotte and American Heritage hold the four No. 1 regional seeds. Columbia (10-0) hosts Clay; if the Tigers advance, they will face the winner of Choctawhatchee and Mosley.

Regional matchups to watch

St. Augustine is seeded second and Ed White third. Both host teams from Tallahassee, and the winners are set to meet Nov. 20. Bishop Moore (8-2) starts against River Ridge; a win would set up a semifinal against Vanguard or Zephyrhills.

Jones, the No. 2 seed, hosts Lake Weir, while No. 3 Lake Wales meets New Smyrna Beach on the same side of the bracket. Port Charlotte (7-2) opens at home against Gulf Coast.

Other paths through the bracket

No. 4 Dunbar travels to No. 5 Clearwater, with the winner potentially meeting Port Charlotte in the second round. Jesuit is seeded second and Naples third, creating the possibility of a regional semifinal between them Nov. 20.

American Heritage (6-3) hosts Blanche Ely. No. 4 Miami Norland travels to No. 5 Atlantic in Delray Beach, while No. 2 Miami Northwestern opens against Miramar. No. 3 McArthur begins on the road at No. 6 Jensen Beach.

Dates and championship site

Regional semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 20, regional finals for Nov. 27 and state semifinals for Dec. 4. The Class 4A championship will take place during the Dec. 9-12 finals.